Updated menu, celeb collaborations, pump McDonald’s sales
McDonald’ s U.S. sales roared back in the third quarter with new menu items and attention grabbing celebrity collaborations.
And the burger giant says more is coming. In a virtual meeting for investors Monday, McDonald’s said a much- anticipated crispy chicken sandwich with pickles — an answer to competitors like Popeye’s and Chick- f il- A — will go on sale in the U.S. early next year. The company also plans to test McPlant, a plant- based burger, next year.
McDonald’s wouldn’t say who might supply the plant- based burger. McDonald’s tested pea protein- based patties from California- based Beyond Meat at Canadian restaurants earlier this year, but it ended the trial in April.
With new choices like spicy chicken nuggets and a meal deal promotion with rapper Travis Scott, McDonald’s exceeded most projections for the third quarter.
McDonald’s samestore sales — or sales at locations open at least a year — jumped 4.6% in the U. S. Customer traffic fell, but when diners came, they spent more on larger group orders. Dinner was particularly strong, McDonald’s said, but other times of day were elevated as well.
It wasn’t the same story outside the U.S. Globally, same-store sales fell 2.2% between July and September. Sales increases in Japan and Australia were offset by declines in China, Europe and Latin America. Still, that was significantly better than the 24% drop the company saw in the second quarter.
McDonald’s warned that a resurgence of coronavirus cases in key markets like France, Germany and the United Kingdom could force dining room closures and other restrictions.